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The new Logitech MX Anywhere 3 and corresponding Mac version is designed for the demands of the work-from-home era, combining a rich feature set with a compact, portable design.
The new MX Anywhere 3
The updated MX Anywhere is an iterative design of the previous generation of the MX Anywhere mouse family, building on what was solid and loved while adding new features and more software support.
- USB-C
- Six buttons
- 70 day battery life
- 1000 DPI normal tracking
- 200-4000 minimum and maximum tracking
- Vertical and horizontal scrolling
It has a small, inexpensive body with two side buttons, traditional primary and secondary buttons, a new MagSpeed scroll wheel that also clicks, and an additional mode toggle button directly behind the scroll wheel.
The mouse is powered by USB-C, which should produce 70 days of use on a normal charge. We haven’t been using the mouse for 70 days, so we couldn’t confirm its longevity just yet. To get started quickly, a one minute quick charge will give you three hours of use.
USB-C port on MX Anywhere 3
That USB-C connectivity is part of what separates the generic version of Windows from the Mac version. Windows mode comes with a USB-C to USB-A cable, but Mac users, with its strong USB-C support , they get a USB-C to USB-C cable in the box. This is an absolutely better decision for Mac and iPad users.
The Windows model also comes with a Logitech unifying receiver for working with RF. Logitech says that Mac users prefer to use Bluetooth over RF, so they skip the receiver from the Mac model. It may also have to do with the fact that there is no USB-C version of Logitech’s unifying receiver yet, a Constant complaint for users of the latest Logitech hardware.
Logitech guessed right with us and we preferred to use Bluetooth with both our iPad Pro and our Mac. However, we know that users still prefer the unifying receiver and it would be nice if Logitech at least had a USB-C option for those who want it.
MagSpeed wheel is fantastic and feels like Apple magic
However, the feature that steals the show from us is the MagSpeed scroll wheel. It’s machined steel and feels premium, tactile, and precise. Specifically, that wheel is controlled via a set of finely tuned electromagnets that can give off that clicking sensation every time the wheel is turned.
There is just the right amount of tension on the wheel, so if you go slowly the wheel clicks for each line and focuses on precision. But when you throw the wheel and it flies quickly, the wheel spins freely, skipping hundreds of lines at a time. It is the exact mix we are looking for in a scroll wheel.
If you don’t like the false click feeling, you can also toggle it. The button just behind the scroll wheel is the mode toggle button and will change the wheel from clicking to spinning freely.
MX Anywhere 3 also supports Logitech Flow technology, which is what allows you to work on two different machines side by side at the same time. The cursor simply moves to the right between the two machines without having to manually change the device the mouse is paired with.
Programmable buttons
As mentioned above, the MX Anywhere 3 has six buttons. Many of which have additional features when used to their full potential.
Two side buttons on MX Anywhere 3
On the left side, right where the thumb rests, there are two buttons within reach. Out of the box, they act like normal side buttons, like in Safari to navigate forward and backward. These buttons are also used for horizontal scrolling. When you hold down one of the side buttons and scroll with the scroll wheel, it will move horizontally.
Horizontal scrolling is huge and something you don’t realize how much you need until you don’t have it. We come from mainly using Apple’s massive trackpads that can scroll in any way. As soon as we switched to a mouse, horizontal scrolling was a constant pain point for us.
While that’s great, it gets even better with the accompanying software from Logitech. You can adjust almost every aspect of the mouse with this application.
Logitech accompanying software
You can assign new commands to each button, but this can also be done per app. For example, those side buttons can be configured to undo and redo when inside Final Cut Pro X or Photoshop. Or when you’re on a Zoom call, they can mute your mic and pause your video. Very useful when you are in the middle of a call and a small child or wandering around your makeshift office.
The middle button that hides below the scroll wheel can be set to play / pause within Final Cut or switch to the marquee tool in Photoshop. If you like the feel of the scroll wheel, you don’t need the mode switch button. Maybe assign that to App Expose or to show your desktop.
Using the MX Anywhere 3 on a wooden top
Speaking of such a scroll wheel, with Logitech software, you can fine-tune the quantity of force exerted by the magnets. Do you want a strong, prominent click on the mouse wheel while scrolling, or do you prefer something much more subtle? This is very similar to how Apple controlled the solid state home button on older iPhones.
Everything else you hope to customize is here too. Follow speed, scroll speed, swap primary and secondary click buttons.
Compared to MX Master 3
Logitech’s MX Anywhere 3 follows the launch of the MX Master 3 just a couple of months ago. These devices are very similar but are aimed at different users. The MX Master 3 is destined for your desk, with its bulbous body and large size. It’s meant to fill your hand and has the most control with a steel horizontal scroll wheel and an additional button under the thumb.
Side to side, the difference in size is obvious. The MX Anywhere 3 is clearly meant to be more portable and has a drastic size difference when viewed from the side. It just sits flatter to fit more easily in bags or pockets.
MX Anywhere 3 and MX Master 3
MX Master 3 has the physical horizontal scroll wheel, which is a nice touch, but Logitech managed to get horizontal scrolling to work with MX Anywhere 3 and skipped that hardware. It may not be that easy to use, but it works great and is a viable trade-off.
While the MX Master 3 has a few more buttons than the MX Anywhere 3, the MX Anywhere’s scroll wheel is superior. Logitech has learned since the MX Master 3 was launched and was able to more precisely adjust the magnets to allow for customization of force.
We can’t say that one of these is better than the other, it just depends on where you intend to use it and if you want to travel with it. If you are working from your desk, but those are great. But if you want to take it with you, we’ll go for the MX Anywhere 3.
Work from anywhere
In today’s environment, we work from everywhere. We work from the office, basement, dining room table, cafeteria, deck, garage, and anywhere with a flat surface in between.
MX Anywhere 3 uses Darkfield technology in its sensor to work from anywhere, even glass surfaces
MX Anywhere 3 addresses that not just by being compact, but by working on almost any surface. We tested this on our deck, on our various tables, on our desk, on shiny granite, and even on glass. Everything worked well with the reliable Darkfield high precision sensor.
Quick swap button at the bottom to go between three devices
Another benefit of working anywhere is the ability to quickly switch between devices. There is a small button at the bottom that stores three devices in its memory. Press the button to quickly switch to the next device on your list. Honestly, this feature feels made for us.
We mostly work at home on our Mac Pro desktop and therefore we need a reliable desktop mouse. Sometimes though, we get around to writing and editing lightly on our iPad Pro, and we need a mouse that works well with iPadOS. Then there are the times when we need a portable Mac and open up our MacBook Pro.
With the MX Anywhere 3, we simply click the button at the bottom and toggle between these devices. It takes maybe a second for the mouse to switch to our currently active device.
Editing a video on iPad Pro with MX Anywher 3
And yes, the mouse works great with the iPad. The system is quite smooth to navigate and has great scrolling with the MagSpeed wheel. Horizontal scrolling works on iPad too, right out of the box. So if you’re in a spreadsheet or iMovie, you can scroll left and right with ease.
Mouse drifts at times, which is something we’ve seen with other third-party mice and is a problem with iPadOS more than the mice themselves.
Should you buy the MX Anywhere 3?
Logitech has been making MX Anywhere for years, however it seems that MX Anywhere 3 was made for now. This is exactly what we need in this changing landscape of mobile work. We need that mouse that does it all and has a ton of professional features while being accessible.
Using the MX Anywhere mouse outdoors
It is portable, reliable, powerful, and comfortable. We use it on our Mac Pro to edit videos and then jump to our iPad Pro to get started on photo editing and writing.
We also feel that the value of the product increases thanks to the amazing software. By being able to customize so many aspects of the mouse, it gives you a more professional mindset. It works great with our professional applications like Final Cut and Logic, saving us time completing our tasks.
The premium feel of the MX Anywhere 3 is welcome, and it’s what we prefer and expect from a specific accessory from Apple.
MX Anywhere 3 for Mac
- Compact and comfortable design
- Amazing MagSpeed Scroll Wheel
- Extensive customization via software
- Many buttons for more control
- Horizontal displacement
- Works great with iPad, including horizontal scrolling
- Bluetooth connectivity
- USB-C connection and USB-C to USB-C cable
- Horizontal scrolling can be hard to remember
- Without USB-C unifying receiver
- Excessive scrolling and skipping can still be problems on iPadOS
